Moral Essays, Volume III

Seneca, Lucius Annaeus, born at Corduba (Cordova) around 4 BCE, hailed from a prominent and wealthy family. He spent his ailing childhood and youth in Rome, under the care of an aunt. Throughout his life, he became renowned in rhetoric, philosophy, money-making, and imperial service. Despite experiencing disgrace during Claudius' reign, he later became a tutor and subsequently, in 54 CE, an advising minister to Nero, although he did not prevent some of Nero's worst misdeeds. In 65 CE, implicated (perhaps innocently) in a conspiracy, he was ordered to take his own life. Despite his wealth, he preached indifference to riches; while avoiding pain and death, he professed scorn of both, reflecting other contrasts between his practice and principles.

Seneca's philosophical or moral essays—ten traditionally called Dialogues—encompass topics such as providence, steadfastness, the happy life, anger, leisure, tranquility, the brevity of life, gift-giving, and forgiveness, along with treatises on natural phenomena. Additionally, 124 of his epistles survive; written in a relaxed style, these letters explore moral and ethical questions, often relating to his personal experiences. Among his works is the skit on the official deification of Claudius, Apocolocyntosis (in Loeb number 15), as well as nine rhetorical tragedies based on ancient Greek themes. However, many epistles and all his speeches have been lost.

His moral essays are compiled in Volumes I–III of the Loeb Classical Library's ten-volume edition of Seneca.